Retail staff get days off to help in the community
Retailer LiFung Trinity has been donating its workers' time to work on projects such as cleaning the beaches and planting trees
It is commendable to donate money to charity, but one local clothing retailer has gone a step further - by donating its staff to community projects.
"The practice is not common in the local industry, but we have found that it works," said June Ho, assistant manager of LiFung Trinity (Management) Limited. "Our colleagues can jump out of the office and do community service work."
The scheme especially targets new colleagues who have fewer holidays in their first year of joining the company. They are given two days of community service leave a year, while the other staff have one.
"Through this leave, we found out more about the kind of community work our colleagues prefer and can think of what resources from the company can be used to support them," said Ho.
The Fung Group has long been investing in community initiatives through its Fung (1906) Foundation. It has been giving to Operation Santa Claus, a charitable appeal organised by the and RTHK, for the past few years.
The foundation encourages the group's staff to initiate community projects, such as beach cleaning and tree planting, by providing them with the resources to undertake activities.
"The foundation acts like a platform to mobilise staff from our various business units to participate," said foundation director Wong Kai-man.
Earlier this month, the foundation recruited staff from the group's different members, including Toys 'R' Us, to take part in OSC's fundraising games day, , in Repulse Bay.
"We can all do more to raise awareness of the needs of our society," said Karen Seymour, community engagement manager for Li & Fung Trading.
HOW YOU CAN GIVE
- Donate online by credit card at osc.scmp.com
- Donate at an ATM or at any HSBC branch (account no: 502-676299-001 for SCMP Charities Ltd - Operation Santa Claus)
- You can donate with a cheque payable to "SCMP Charities Ltd - Operation Santa Claus" and mail it to: Operation Santa Claus, Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, New Territories,
- Donations of HK$100 or more are tax-deductible. If you would like a tax receipt, please send the completed donation form and original bank receipt, with your name, address and phone number, to the above address. Please call 2680 8159 or e-mail [email protected] with any inquiries, or visit us online at osc.scmp.com
